Free Overnight Cinderella by Katherine Garbera

delivering bad news would be tough for her. “The security V.P. is competent. He has no problem with my team coming down a few days early and setting up shop. Next time, I’ll be the heavy.”
    â€œYou’d do that for me?” She shut down the computer and stowed it under her seat.
    â€œYeah,” he said. He’d do more than that for her, which worried him. He should be putting up barriers, reinforcing the ones that had kept him safe and in control for years. Instead he felt this small woman slipping past them.
    â€œYou’re not suited to be a bad guy,” she said.
    Her perception never failed to surprise him. Though it shouldn’t. No one was more aware of the events and people around them than Cami. She observed life instead of living it. He was worlds too hard for her.
    â€œYou’re right. I was a cop for six years.”
    â€œReally?”
    The plane lurched, saving him from answering. Cami sat up straighter, her eyes wide with fear. “What was that?”
    A seasoned traveler, it took more than a dip in the plane to worry Duke. “Just a little turbulence.”
    â€œI don’t like it.”
    He lifted the armrest between them and put his arm around her, pulling her into the curve of his body. He couldn’t help but notice that she fit perfectly there—as if she were made for him and him alone.
    The plane dipped again, this time more violently, and the overhead lights flickered on.
    â€œLadies and gentlemen, this is the captain speaking. We’re hitting some turbulence, but everything’s fine.”
    Cami’s hand gripped his thigh, her nails biting into his flesh. His thoughts were on anything but the small worry of the plane’s competency. Cami grabbed his hand and held on so tightly. Her agitation visible in her shortened breaths and racing pulse.
    â€œSweetheart?”
    â€œYes, Duke.”
    â€œI won’t let anything happen to you,” he said. He didn’t know where that promise had come from, only knew that he’d had to say it. True, everyone he’d ever wanted to protect had left him, but this sweet woman touched a part of Duke that he didn’t know existed.
    â€œPlease make sure your seat belts are fastenedand trays are in an upright position,” a flight attendant advised.
    Without thought, he reached over and tightened Cami’s belt. His mind whirled with possible scenarios. The plane going down. Cami was much too small to take care of herself. He’d cover her with his body and protect her if they crashed.
    They hit another pocket, and the plane pitched more roughly than before. Cami’s grip tightened painfully on his leg.
    He pried her hand free of his leg and held it in his own. Such a small fragile hand. She’d stand no chance against the threats of life. Living the life he had, he wondered at the miracle that she’d survived as long as she had.
    The plane pitched again, throwing them both forward. Duke held Cami tighter, preventing her from hitting the seat in front of them. Cami looked up at him.
    â€œWhat is it?”
    â€œI don’t want to die,” she said, her voice softer than morning.
    â€œWe’re not going to.”
    â€œYou don’t know that,” she said.
    He didn’t know how to calm her down. Rubbing his hand against her small shoulder, he encouraged her to lean against him. She whispered something but he didn’t catch it.
    â€œWhat did you say, sweetheart?”
    â€œI don’t want to die a virgin,” she said, her big brown eyes meeting his gaze with a levelness that belied her earlier panic.
    â€œYou won’t,” he said. Hearing confirmation of her innocence should have strengthened his resolve to stay away from her but it made him want to claim her. To be the man who awakened this sleeping beauty from her sleep.
    The plane leveled out but he couldn’t let go of her. The captain reassured them it was “smooth